Job Description

Sycamore Tree Care Home is looking for a Cook to provide nutritious, appealing, and person-centred meals for 28 residents, while ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and safety in the kitchen. The role balances culinary skills with a compassionate approach to residents' well-being and dietary needs.

Key Responsibilities

Meal Preparation and Cooking:

Prepare, cook, and serve a variety of hot and cold meals and snacks, including home-baked goods.

Menu Planning:

Plan and develop seasonal, balanced, and healthy menus in consultation with residents and the home manager, ensuring variety and considering resident preferences, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

Special Dietary Needs:

Expertly cater to a diverse range of dietary requirements, including allergies, intolerances, diabetes, and texture- modified diets (e.g., pureed, minced, and moist) for residents with conditions like dysphagia.

Health and Safety Compliance:

Ensure strict adherence to all statutory and legal requirements, including Food Safety, Food Hygiene, and Health & Safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, COSHH).

Kitchen Management:

Monitor and manage stock levels, order supplies within budgetary limits from nominated suppliers, and ensure deliveries are checked, recorded, and stored correctly to minimise waste.

Hygiene and Maintenance:

Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in all kitchen and storage areas, following cleaning schedules, and ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of all kitchen equipment.

Interaction and Communication:

Work closely with the Kitchen Assistant, care staff and residents to get feedback, understand individual likes and dislikes, and adapt meal plans accordingly.

Record Keeping:

Maintain accurate records relating to food temperatures, stock control, and resident dietary needs.
Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

Proven experience in a kitchen environment, preferably within a care home or healthcare setting.

Qualifications:

A minimum of a basic food hygiene certificate is essential. Relevant catering qualifications (e.g., NVQ, Diploma, City & Guilds) are often preferred.

Core Skills:

Strong culinary skills, excellent time management, organisation, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Personal Attributes:

A caring, patient, and positive attitude, with a passion for cooking nutritious food and making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people.

Background Checks:

A full enhanced DBS will be required due to working with vulnerable individuals.
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Job Type: Permanent

Pay: 13.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

Application question(s):

Do you have proven experience in a kitchen environment, within a care home or healthcare setting?
Work Location: In person